ENGLISH
REFERENCE

take one's medicine

idiom
Meaning

To endure an unpleasant obligation, especially a punishment.


Origin

disputed origin

From the idea that medicine is good for one, but often unpleasant tasting.

Examples
SIMPLE

You made a mistake, so you must take your medicine.

CONTEXTUAL

The team lost the game fairly, so they had to take their medicine and congratulate the winners.

COMPLEX

After the audit revealed significant financial mismanagement, the executive had to take his medicine and accept the board's decision to terminate his contract.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    abound in one's own sense

    To follow one’s own inclinations and opinions.

  2. 02

    ace up one's sleeve

    A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.

  3. 03

    act one's age

    To behave in a manner appropriate to one's age.

  4. 04

    act one's age, not one's shoe size

    Synonym of act one's age (“to behave in a mature manner; to avoid being childish”).

  5. 05

    afraid of one's own shadow

    Exceptionally timid.

  6. 06

    air one's dirty laundry in public

    To reveal one's sordid secrets to the public.

  7. 07

    air one's dirty linen in public

    Synonym of air one's dirty laundry in public.

  8. 08

    albatross around one's neck

    A characteristic, possession, associate, or previous deed that hinders one's ability to succeed.

© 2026 English Reference